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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 10/14/2003 UNNAPROVED MINUTES Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Commission Tuesday, October 14, 2003 7:00 PM—Prairie Room, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344-4485 Commission Members: Harry Moran (Chair), Jeff Strate (Vice Chair), Holly Clynch, Balu Iyer, Gerry Beckmann, Larry Piumbroeck, and Caroline Maguire Student Representatives: Kian Missaghi, Molly Moroski, Jackie Beutell Commission Staff: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Lorene McWaters, Recording Secretary I. Roll Call Moran called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. All Commission members were present except Iyer. II. Welcome New Student Representatives III. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as published. IV. Approval of Minutes from September 9, 2003 meeting The minutes were approved as published with one minor revision. Beckmann said she did not second her own motion on item III. V. New Business A. "Jean Harris Gathering" Bridge Concept Don Klingel, Basil Wissner, and Mary Jane Wissner presented a PowerPoint about the history of the proposed bridge and its relationship to the late Mayor Harris' life. They also provided information on how much the bridge will cost to build and the status of fundraising efforts. B. Immanuel Lutheran Church Series on Somali Issues Reverend Christopher Hagen, associate interim pastor with Immanuel Lutheran Church, spoke about a series of lectures the church is holding on Somali immigrant issues the church. He said Immanuel decided to hold this program because they had identified a need and opportunity to build community by reaching out to immigrants in Eden Prairie. He stressed that the goal of the program is not to convert Muslims to Christianity,but rather to be good neighbors and show a willingness to share faiths. Hagen asked the Commission whether or not there they think there are unique opportunities that Immanuel has in serving the immigrant community. Moran noted that the Commission and the School District held The Gathering event this summer to provide an opportunity for immigrants to discuss their experiences and needs in Eden Prairie. Beckmann and Maguire said they have attended some of the lectures at Immanuel, and they were very impressed. Koivumaki said a program for Somali women is in need of two sewing machines. She said Mary Keating, coordinator of the HOPE program, would be a good resource to identify other needs of the community. Strate asked if there was more that could be done to coordinate between the churches and the City. Beckmann said that the K\RECORDS\Minutes\Human Rights&Diversity\Human Rights and Diversity CommissionA2003 Agenda and Minutes\200310 HRDC Minutes.doe Ministerial Association has been approached in past years to help coordinate the efforts of various churches,but that this has proven to be "a hard nut to crack." Hagen said Immanuel will develop an action plan by the end of the year based on data gathered through their lecture series. He said he believes the key to the success of any effort will be in getting people from different communities to talk to each other one-on-one and build personal relationships. Strate asked the student representatives for input on how the HRDC or churches can help to get Somali students become more involved in school activities. Moroski said there is a diversity fair at the school each year,but that it is not very effective in getting immigrant students involved with the rest of the student population. Moran said his son was a founder of the high school's Diversity Club. The intent of the club was to get minority students involved in events throughout the school. Moran said he is disappointed to hear the same issues being discussed seven years later. However, Moran said he believes The Gathering events the Commission is conducting with the School District provide a unique opportunity to make strides this year. Maguire said she agrees that building personal relationships is important, and she has found ESL conversation circles to be useful in doing this. She said she would be willing to work with staff from Immanuel Lutheran if they are interested in starting conversation circles. C. Report on League of Human Rights Commissions Conference Commissioners Strate, Maguire and Beckmann attended the September 19 Human Rights Commissions Conference. Strate said the conference had a"Brown vs. the Board of Education" theme. Commissioners attended workshops on hate crime response and the University of Minnesota's Human Rights Center. Strate said the State Commissioner of Human Rights would like to attend the next Gathering event, which is scheduled for December 9. Maguire said she was appointed delegate-at-large for our district,but has yet to receive any information on upcoming meetings. D. Update on the Gathering Moran handed out a list of the top 10 issues identified at the August Gathering event. Moran said The Gathering event planned for December 9 will focus on communicating what was learned from the first event and what has happened since then. Moran said he and Nanette Missaghi, School District Diversity Coordinator, gave a short presentation at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, but received little feedback from attendees. Moran said it might be more effective to distribute information through HR managers and supervisors at local businesses. Clynch suggested making sure someone from the Chamber is invited to attend the next Gathering so they can hear the input first-hand. Moran said he, Nanette Missaghi, and Mary Bolinger have been meeting to plan the agenda for the next gathering and have compiled a list of 25 tasks to be completed. Maguire said she feels there needs to be some sort of tangible output and action as a result of the Gatherings,beyond just talking. Koivumaki said the HRDC may not be directly involved in action steps,but may act as a broker to bring together parties. (Note: The student reps left the meeting at 8:15 to study for exams. Commissioner Clynch left at 9:00 p.m.) VI. Reports of Staff A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG) Koivumaki said she, Mary Keating and Khadra Duale reported on the City's activities with immigrants at the most recent SHISG meeting. Koivumaki said the Eden Prairie Police Department is planning a"citizens academy" course for Somalis. The Parks & Recreation Department is holding a swimming class for Somali women. Participants are allowed to K\RECORDS\Minutes\Human Rights&Diversity\Human Rights and Diversity CommissionA2003 Agenda and Minutes\200310 HRDC Minutes.doe wear culturally appropriate clothing for the lessons, and it has proven so successful a second course is already being planned. Nino Yusel, a program coordinator at the University of Minnesota, spoke about parenting skills and relationship building. Hennepin County held a meeting at Briar Hill Apartments on their teen and childhood checkup program. Steve Thals, an immigration attorney, is scheduled to speak at the next SHISG meeting on December 8, 11:00 a.m., at Eden Prairie Library. Koivumaki said Khadra Duale is now a contract employee of the City of Eden Prairie. As part of her work, Duale helps walk immigrants through the INS process, which is reportedly very grueling and complex. Commission members noted that several speakers at the August Gathering event spoke about how difficult their INS experiences were. Beckmann said she has spoke to State Rep. Erik Paulsen about difficulties with the INS process and how it might be made less daunting. Paulsen referred her to U.S. Rep. Ramstad, since INS is now a division of the Department of Homeland Security. Ramstad referred her to Frank Sloan, who is with the INS in Minnesota. Beckmann spoke with Sloan, who indicated he would be willing to come to Eden Prairie to speak about how the process works. Piumbroeck said it might be helpful to also have an immigration attorney to speak. The Commissioners agreed that Koivumaki, Mary Keating and Commissioner Beckmann would hold a planning meeting and invite Sloan to speak at a meeting at the beginning of the year. B. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC) Koivumaki said the HSRC meeting focused on the City's proposed plans for their Eden Prairie Center space. Koivumaki said there is a great deal of interest in the plan from various community service providers. C. Bias Crime Activity Status Koivumaki said no bias crime activity has been reported. VII. Old Business A. HRDC Working Calendar This item was tabled until the next meeting. B. Miscellaneous Maguire asked if other Commissioners would be interested in writing a human rights column for the local newspapers on a regular,rotating basis. Piumbroeck and Strate said they would write columns. Strate said he would contact the editor of the Eden Prairie News to see if they would be willing to devote a regular space to a human rights column. Beckmann said she had talked to Mark Webber in the past about running a small ad with the Human Rights Hotline phone number or public service announcements, and he indicated he would be willing to do so. It was agreed that Molly Koivumaki will be provided with review copies of articles before they are submitted for publication. Beckmann suggested contacting Time-Warner to see if they are interested in helping the Commission create public service announcements that could be aired on the cable access channels. VIII. Reports from Commission members Beckmann provided copies of handouts for immigrants learning to drive and and citizenship classes. K\RECORDS\Minutes\Human Rights&Diversity\Human Rights and Diversity CommissionA2003 Agenda and Minutes\200310 HRDC Minutes.doe Strate asked for permission to write a letter to the Eden Prairie Foundation requesting funds for the Jean L. Harris Scholarship. Piumbroeck suggested asking the Foundation for $2,000, which could be used as an investment seed fund. Koivumaki said she would check with staff to see if the Commission is allowed to create an endowment. IX. Future Meetings/Events K\RECORDS\Minutes\Human Rights&Diversity\Human Rights and Diversity CommissionA2003 Agenda and Minutes\200310 HRDC Minutes.doe